Cycad Photosynthesis Project at Montgomery

Christopher Krieg has been studying photosynthesis patterns in cycads at MBC during June and July. From morning to early afternoon he has been using a sophisticated instrument, the LiCor 6400 Photosynthesis System, to measure photosynthesis rates of cycad leaflets and has been using MBC’s microscope facility at the Chris Tyson Plant Conservation Building to measure stomatal density and leaf area.

This research is being carried out under the direction of Dr. James E. Watkins of Colgate University in New York. The goal of this project is to evaluate ecophysiological costs associated with reproduction in cycads by comparing photosynthetic behavior of male and female plants. Furthermore, the study aims to elucidate differences and similarities photosynthetic characteristics across cycad species and genera. This study was inspired by previous research Christopher undertook on sunfleck utilization in ferns, cycads and angiosperms.

Christopher recently graduated from Colgate University with a B.A. in biology and plans to pursue graduate studies in plant physiology.